Great offense and defense the first half. Team passing a clinic at times. Omar a one-man wrecking crew in first half. And what depth:

Tot started in place of Dixon and played good defense and passed the ball well...looked smooth
and confident. Burchfield and Malinowski--the three point frosh. Another very good game from Schalk. And Schlotman looked sharp passing the ball when he was in there.

Yawn Just the way I like it. That's what a first place team is supposed to do to a bottom dwelling team. Beat their asses and step on their necks from start to finish. This was a no doubter, barely noticed Dixon's absence tonight. Hope for more of the same on Valentine's Day against the Blue Hens!

Does Bryant lead their team in scoring by putting up half his points in the last 2 minutes of blowouts? This is also the second time we've been winning by 20 when the other team starts pressing with 4 minutes to go in the game. Maybe the time for that is 8 minutes prior? At that point, you're just going to get somebody hurt. I was happy to see Marcus get significant rest in this game, relatively speaking. Not much more to say. Tot is going to be fun to watch. I know some of those passes are going to miss, but they're fun to watch when they're on. He had one half court outlet to Tarpey (?) and another quarter court to a slashing Omar that were impressive. Burchfield was tied with Marcus at the half. Most people would lose money on that bet.

Elon is a well coached team that just lacks some post talent to be a decent team. Bryant has a lot of game and will be an All-CAA player for them in years to come.

I have had one issue with Tony over the years in that he very rarely displays fire on the sideline, and often there are times when the bar needs raising and embellishments need to fly to lift the level of play where it needs to be, especially on the defensive end. Not sure who has taken over Tony's body, but tonight, and the last couple of games, that fire has been unleashed. Loved seeing it in the second half tonight. This young team has great potential when the focus is there. Think Tony knows what he's got this season and is really picking up his game on the sideline. Great sign.

If there is one area that this team has struggled in is playing with a lead. That makes when you get leads valuable teaching moments. Knowing how to finish off a team when there is desperation and increased pressure in passing lanes is a learned thing. You can't duplicate the emotional atmosphere in practice. Last night and the JMU game were important because they weathered the inevitable 2nd half surge that they didn't earlier in the year vs Delaware and high point. The goal of every practice and every game is to get better each day. They want to be playing their best basketball heading into March. The Tribe got better last night.

(02-11-2015 11:33 PM)Tribeheart Wrote: I have had one issue with Tony over the years in that he very rarely displays fire on the sideline, and often there are times when the bar needs raising and embellishments need to fly to lift the level of play where it needs to be, especially on the defensive end. Not sure who has taken over Tony's body, but tonight, and the last couple of games, that fire has been unleashed. Loved seeing it in the second half tonight. This young team has great potential when the focus is there. Think Tony knows what he's got this season and is really picking up his game on the sideline. Great sign.

I think there's some merit to this.

I'd make a similar comment about a very important player on the team. Marcus Thornton. We've over his time here used it as a compliment that he doesn't show emotion, has ice in his veins, etc.

I made this comment after the Delaware comeback last season when he showed some fire and emotion at the end. I think we need Marcus to visibly show emotion at key times to make this happen this season. He's done that at key times this year. I know I'm probably one of the few that noticed it, but I will NEVER forget the mean mug he gave to Talley in the comeback win against UNCW as he nailed an NBA three right in Talley's face just at the point of W&M surging into control.

In the same respect, I saw some real anger and drive in Marcus last night as he surged in the second half to help keep us from giving away the lead.

I don't want him to be like this all of the time, but I think he needs to visibly show this fire sometimes to get his team fired up - and he's done that more this season.

(02-12-2015 06:22 AM)WM Beancounter Wrote: Tot's long pass to Tarpey was the play of the night.

That was amazing. Tot is always looking to get the ball up the court. He wants to run. Mr. Ribe said last night that "this team is explosive when they want to be." When was the last time you heard that word used to describe the Tribe?

The bookstore trailer looked good. The curtains helped integrate it into the area. It is important to have merchandise easily accessible for fans. Now they've got to figure out where to put the trailer when the stage is up.

Good game, decent crowd. The crowds are certainly more involved this year.

(02-12-2015 06:22 AM)WM Beancounter Wrote: Tot's long pass to Tarpey was the play of the night.

The bookstore trailer looked good. The curtains helped integrate it into the area. It is important to have merchandise easily accessible for fans. Now they've got to figure out where to put the trailer when the stage is up.

I'm pretty sure they said during the game that the trailer was a one-time thing.

I think our game against UD is the pivitol game of the year. We need to win this game to get the monkey off our back and gain confidence moving forward. We're perfect at home and seem to win three and lose one so UD should be a big W.

I have said this before, but it bears repeating, this team is fun to watch. They run plays precisely and they get out on the break quickly. Tony said the same thing on the post game show. He enjoys watching this group play.
No excuse for not having good crowds now, as the games are imminently enjoyable.

I was seated next to the reporter from USA Today last night. When was the last time you can remember a reporter from USA Today covering one of our games??

Now, obviously, they are giving some coverage to the "Final Five" teams, but still...
He remarked to me, early in the second half, "Man, they sure can shoot." I couldn't disagree.

With the departures of Richmond, VCU, ODU, and Mason's coach, the CAA is very manageable for the Tribe ... more wins ... more confident team.

All season I've wondered how much of an impact this has had on our success this year. The conference is certainly "down" this year, especially compared to the three bids we got a few seasons ago. However I think that even if those teams were still in the conference we'd be talking about a conference championship. At the very least we'd still be 4th in the conference with that group and I personally think we'd be above UR and ODU

(02-12-2015 09:30 AM)nj alum Wrote: I know everyone is pointing to Baltimore, but I think the regular season championship is almost ... almost ....as important.

I said something similar to my wife last night.

I want to go to the NCAAs. Good god do I want to go. I will be a total ball of nerves in Baltimore.

If we win the regular season, I'll be a LITTLE less of a ball of nerves. In a lot of ways a regular season championship is a better indication of the quality of the team and helps build going forward. A guaranteed NIT bid doesn't hurt either.